Triple Chocolate Amaretto Hot Cocoa Recipe

I am a chocoholic, if you read my blog you know. It is my one major indulgence.

So now that it's getting colder, I wanted to post a hot cocoa recipe, but turn it up a notch. First, I added some amaretto to make it a little more "grownup." Then I put homemade chocolate whipped cream on top and finished it off with shaved dark chocolate, hence the triple threat. (I also added a few almond slivers and coconut shreds to give it texture.) One word... decadent!

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE AMARETTO HOT COCOA RECIPE

Ingredients:

For the Hot Chocolate

4 cups milk

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup Amaretto

For the Chocolate Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

4 teaspoons sugar

For the Topping

2 tablespoons of finely grated dark chocolate

2 tablespoons of sliced almonds

2 tablespoons of shredded coconut

Directions:

Over low heat, warm 1 cup of milk. Add the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt and whisk until they are dissolved. Turn the heat up to medium, and add the remaining 3 cups of milk, stir until it is hot enough to serve. Take the pan off the heat and add the vanilla and Amaretto.

To make the chocolate whipped cream, mix the cocoa with a couple tablespoons of the cream. Stir with a spoon, pressing out any lumps until you have a smooth chocolate paste. Add the remaining milk, and sugar, and beat with an electric mixer on high for 2-3 minutes until you have a nice peaky texture. You can refrigerate until you are ready to serve.

Pour the hot chocolate into the serving cups. Spoon on a some of the chocolate whipped cream, then use a grater or zester to add some of the dark chocolate. Finish with a few slivers of almond and some shredded coconut.